If preventive strategies and health promotion are to be effective in an elderly population a large number of tasks need to be performed by many sectors of society, both individually and collectively (see Table 4.1). This chapter outlines a number of these tasks. Some are dealt with in more detail in Chapters 12 and 13.

Tasks for elderly people

Health promotion and preventive strategies in old age cannot be fully successful without the willing and active participation of elderly people themselves. They have a number of tasks to fulfil.

Continue self development

Because an older person reaches retirement or some other landmark, chronological age is no reason to lose the drive towards self fulfilment and enjoyment. The nature of activities may change, for this is a time for re-evaluating and re-establishing relationships, but there is considerable opportunity and challenge to utilise the increased amounts of available spare time in a productive, meaningful and satisfying manner.

If older people succumb to the ageist stereotypes prevalent in a community and restrict their activity accordingly it is unlikely they will achieve their optimal psychological and functional health. However, the full realisation of individual self development cannot occur without complementary enabling and empowering activities by other sectors of society.